Shen Yi took his time in the shower, letting the warm water run over his skin, as though he could wash away the strange feelings the day had planted in him. After a while, he stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist before walking out of the bathroom.
The situation from earlier now seemed to have switched completely, with Jiang Qi, already seated on the couch, appearing as the one tempted this time. He wore a simple white t-shirt and black pants, yet the casualness of his outfit didn't hide the way he stared boldly at Shen Yi's bare chest.
A small smirk curved Jiang Qi's lips as he watched Shen Yi wipe his damp hair with a towel, clearly unaware of the eyes fixed on him, and then without hesitation, he spoke.
"Little Black, you've really grown up."
Shen Yi paused mid-motion, his hand still caught in his hair, and turned to look at Jiang Qi who made no effort to look away. His gaze was direct and settled on Shen Yi's chest, and that alone made Shen Yi feel awkward as he swallowed hard and cleared his throat.
"Why do you keep calling me that?" he asked, the edge in his voice trying to mask his discomfort.
Jiang Qi let out a light chuckle as he stood up, walking leisurely toward the bedroom door, and while beckoning him to follow, he replied casually, "Calling what?"
Shen Yi gritted his teeth lightly because he knew Jiang Qi was deliberately avoiding the name, clearly wanting him to say it aloud, and after a second of hesitation, he did just that.
"Why do you keep calling me... Little Black?"
They both stepped into the bedroom, where the bed was neatly made with black covers that added a cool contrast to the soft light coming from the ceiling. Jiang Qi walked straight to the closet and opened it, searching briefly before pulling out a pair of black pants and a white t-shirt, the same as what he was wearing. He turned around and handed the clothes over to Shen Yi, who now stood near the door.
Jiang Qi smiled softly as he answered, "Because once upon a time, you refused to tell me your name, so I gave you one. It's a lot cuter, don't you think?"
Shen Yi looked at him blankly, the name stirring nothing in his memory, and Jiang Qi didn't bother explaining further as he walked past him and said calmly, "Get changed."
Shen Yi's eyes dropped to the clothes in his hands, but his mind was still occupied by the strange familiarity Jiang Qi claimed they shared. If it was true they met seven years ago, that would make him seventeen back then, and with how relaxed Jiang Qi was around him now, it didn't seem like they were casual friends, which made Shen Yi believe their relationship must have been deeper. And though he couldn't remember anything, a small part of him wished he could.
He placed the clothes neatly on the bed before loosening the towel and quickly changing into the fresh outfit. The clothes fit well and felt comfortable, and after adjusting the shirt, he gathered both towels and walked out of the room. He headed to the bathroom and placed them there, then walked toward the living area where Jiang Qi still sat, now occupied with something on his phone. Shen Yi took a seat beside him, and the moment he did, Jiang Qi put his phone aside and focused entirely on him. He took one look at the clothes and smiled lightly.
"They fit you," Jiang Qi said. "You look good in my clothes."
Shen Yi bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling and muttered, "Thanks," in a dry tone, avoiding Jiang Qi's eyes. Jiang Qi kept staring at him, his half-smile lingering on his face as though he was amused by something only he understood.
Never in his wildest thoughts had he imagined seeing Shen Yi again, especially like this, not in a luxury suite above a casino where they'd nearly killed each other hours before. And now, sitting side by side like this, he couldn't help but feel genuinely happy—more than he had felt in the past seven years.
Shen Yi could feel the intensity of Jiang Qi's gaze, and it made him restless, so he glanced around, searching for anything to distract from the moment, before finally breaking the silence.
"Do you live here?" he asked, his voice slightly forced but casual enough to pass.
Jiang Qi tilted his head slightly, thinking for a moment before answering.
"Not always," he said. "I own many casinos, hotels, and clubs, so I usually stay wherever I end up at night. But my favorite is the one you followed me from this morning."
Shen Yi gave a short nod of understanding, although something else was beginning to form in his mind, something important yet hard to say. He stayed silent for a moment, trying to figure out the best way to word his next question, and Jiang Qi, sensing the hesitation, simply waited.
Eventually, Shen Yi asked, "So… are we going to be locked in here for the next two days?"
Jiang Qi smiled, his body shifting slightly closer so that their arms brushed, and he turned to Shen Yi and asked, "What, do you have somewhere you want to go?"
Shen Yi quickly said, "No," and after a beat, added, "You're the one who said I you didn't want me to leave."
Jiang Qi chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "So, where would you go if you could?"
"I don't know," Shen Yi replied honestly.
"Mmh... I do have a place in mind," Jiang Qi said simply, his tone dropping soft.
"Where?" Shen Yi asked, turning to him.
Jiang Qi didn't reply right away, but the distant smile on his face, the kind that carried a ghost of memory, was enough to tell Shen Yi that it was a place that meant something to him. That expression stirred something small and sharp in Shen Yi, and he wondered what kind of memory Jiang Qi had there—and with who. He tried not to think too much about it, but still, a little disappointment crept in as he imagined Jiang Qi possibly sharing that place with someone he cared for. Pushing the thought aside, he asked quickly, "When will we leave?"
Jiang Qi leaned in until his face was close enough for Shen Yi to feel his breath as he whispered, "Tomorrow, very early in the morning."
Shen Yi nodded once, but Jiang Qi wasn't finished.
"We'll sneak out," he added with a playful gleam in his eyes.
Shen Yi frowned slightly and looked at him, puzzled. "Why?"
"Because it's more fun that way," Jiang Qi replied, grinning. "Besides, I don't want bodyguards following us. I just want it to be us, like before. I already cleared my schedule for the next two days."
Shen Yi took a moment to think, then slowly nodded. "Alright."
If anyone had asked Shen Yi what he was doing or what he was thinking at that moment, he wouldn't have had an answer. All he knew was that, for the first time in a long while, he felt like he mattered to someone, and if this was short-lived, then maybe he should allow himself to enjoy it while it lasted.
Then Jiang Qi placed his arm across Shen Yi's shoulder, drawing his attention again, and said in a tone that almost sounded excited, "One more thing." He paused briefly, then added, "We'll use your bike."